Tim Bajarin Details Top Six Tech Trends Expected in 2013

Industry analyst Tim Bajarin offers his perspective on the leading tech trends we can expect in the coming year. Bajarin, who has been writing an end-of-the-year prediction column for 23 years (and says he has been “reasonably successful”), predicts some interesting developments, including: Augmented Reality going mainstream, increased consumer attention for Google’s Chromebook, a new interest in hybrids and convertibles from IT managers, a dramatic increase in mobile malware, and more. Continue reading Tim Bajarin Details Top Six Tech Trends Expected in 2013

NPD Study: Consumers Slow to Adopt Apps on Smart TVs

Research organization NPD estimates that approximately 25 million U.S. households currently have smart TVs. While nearly six out of 10 owners are using their smart TVs to watch over-the-top video services such as Netflix and Hulu Plus, and roughly 15 percent are accessing music services like Pandora, the majority of Americans are not utilizing applications beyond streaming video and music. The latest NPD Connected Intelligence Application & Convergence report suggests the Internet connected HDTV screen has yet to reach beyond its TV-centric heritage. Continue reading NPD Study: Consumers Slow to Adopt Apps on Smart TVs

CES 2013: LG to Push Cloud and Second Screens in Las Vegas

In a five-minute video interview with Beet.TV, Matthew Durgin, director of Smart TV Partnerships at LG, discusses the LG Cloud designed for interaction with LG Smart TVs, the emergence of second screen apps and new content partnerships for the company’s two-screen API. The API allows users to manage and interact with programming on their televisions using an app on their tablet or smartphone. LG has been making the two-screen solution available to some of its content partners who have been implementing it to enable surfing content on a smaller screen and then pushing the content to the main screen. Continue reading CES 2013: LG to Push Cloud and Second Screens in Las Vegas

Virtual Holographic 3D: zSpace Display Technology from Infinite Z

A new display technology called zSpace by California-based Infinite Z allows users to “feel” 3D images by tracking user’s eyes and hand movement. The technology can also create effects where users can move their heads around 3D video objects to see what is behind them. “The zSpace display could be revolutionary for designers and animators, but could also inspire innovation in computer gaming and augmented reality,” writes Technology Review. Continue reading Virtual Holographic 3D: zSpace Display Technology from Infinite Z

Happy Holidays from the ETCentric Publishing Team

  • We’ve had a spectacular year at ETCentric and thank everyone in our community for your ongoing participation, generous support and helpful feedback.
  • ETCentric will not publish next week in order to migrate content to our new site and prepare for the Consumer Electronics Show. If there is any breaking news in the interim, we’ll be sure to provide you with an update.
  • In the meanwhile, we wish you and your families a joyous holiday season.
  • The new ETCentric site and The Daily Bullet email alert will return on January 2nd with an exciting redesign just in time for our live CES reporting from Las Vegas, January 7-11.
  • We look forward to providing you with the latest media tech news and opinion in 2013.

Cloud Computing: Predictions That Impact Business and Consumers

Antonio Piraino, chief technology officer at ScienceLogic, offers his predictions regarding the future of cloud computing in a Forbes guest post. The cloud has become a major buzzword in the last year and its strategies have provided companies with many benefits related to budgets, products and applications. “However, despite the fact that companies have begun to embrace the cloud and move toward serious implementations, we are in the midst of a rapidly changing market,” suggests Piraino. Continue reading Cloud Computing: Predictions That Impact Business and Consumers

Kodak Sells 1,100 Digital Camera Patents to Group of Tech Giants

Eastman Kodak announced on Wednesday that a group of leading tech firms has teamed together to acquire 1,100 digital imaging and processing patents from the company for $525 million. “Once a thriving camera and photo company, Kodak filed for Chapter 11 in early 2012, hoping to restructure,” reports Wired. “Intellectual property aggregators Intellectual Ventures and RPX organized a consortium of 12 tech companies — Adobe, Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Fujifilm, Google, HTC, Huawei, Microsoft, RIM, Samsung and Shutterfly — to make the purchase.” Continue reading Kodak Sells 1,100 Digital Camera Patents to Group of Tech Giants

CES 2013: Wireless and Apps Must-Have Features for Cameras

Despite camera manufacturers shifting much of their focus to overseas events, Engadget still expects some announcements at January’s CES, especially with heavy-hitters such as Canon, Nikon, Samsung and Sony investing in significant floor space.

“Last year’s show brought consumer and advanced amateur models,” notes the post. “Fujifilm introduced the X-Pro1 mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, Canon showed off the PowerShot G1X with a 1.5-inch sensor, Samsung boosted its SMART line of point-and-shoots, while Polaroid delivered the SC1630 Android hybrid.”

“By the end of 2012, all of these additions faded from memory, overshadowed by more powerful ILCs, advanced compacts from Sony and the Samsung Galaxy Camera, respectively,” explains Engadget. “That’s not to say that any of these products were insignificant, but they surely weren’t blockbusters, despite CES-fueled excitement at the time.”

Wireless connectivity and downloadable apps are expected to be the must-have features in 2013. Also anticipated are larger sensors, smaller bodies, lower prices, in-camera filters and new touchscreens (particularly in high-end models). “And while Android may make an appearance in another compact or two, it won’t be the star of the show,” suggests the post.

Cameras with updated sensors and optics will also appear in a larger variety of other devices including TVs, tablets, laptops and smartphones. “Eye-tracking may also have a more substantial presence within select laptops and desktop computers, bringing additional cameras into the picture. We could also see camera-equipped robotic vacuums (for remote monitoring and navigation), and maybe even some home appliance surprises.”

CES 2013: Display Tech Expected to Highlight UHD and Connectivity

Engadget provides an overview of what it expects we’ll see at CES in early January in regards to display technologies. “The list of tech we’re expecting to see (Ultra HD — aka 4K/8K, OLED, connected TV and second screen interaction) is almost an exact mirror of the high-profile launches from last year’s show,” suggests the post. “The good news, however, is that there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic that this is the year we’ll actually see the technology become available and/or more useful in our daily lives.” Continue reading CES 2013: Display Tech Expected to Highlight UHD and Connectivity

Instagram Users and Privacy Advocates Riled by New Terms of Service

Despite panicked reports regarding recent changes to Instagram’s terms of service, The Verge notes that the Facebook-owned photo-sharing service always had an expansive license to use and copy images, not unlike the agreements of other Web services that store user data. There has been an uproar to the following sentence, released earlier this week: “You agree that a business may pay Instagram to display your photos in connection with paid or sponsored content or promotions without any compensation to you.” Continue reading Instagram Users and Privacy Advocates Riled by New Terms of Service

Hulu Earned $695 Million in 2012 and Doubled its Paying Subscribers

According to a blog post from Hulu CEO Jason Kilar, the video service earned $695 million in revenue in 2012. Additionally, Hulu Plus saw a 50 percent increase in paying subscribers, passing the three million mark.
By comparison, Hulu’s 2011 numbers included $400 million in revenue and less than 1.5 million Hulu Plus subscribers. Continue reading Hulu Earned $695 Million in 2012 and Doubled its Paying Subscribers

Google Aims to Replace iPhone Camera App with YouTube Capture

YouTube has released a new basic iOS camera app that uploads automatically and makes sharing to social networks as easy as pushing just one button. Simply called Capture, it “comes with a few key features that make it superior to the default iOS camera app: It offers image stabilization and color correction, and users can trim clips and even add a YouTube-approved soundtrack,” reports GigaOM. Continue reading Google Aims to Replace iPhone Camera App with YouTube Capture

CES 2013: Windows Phone 8 Devices and Hybrid from Huawei

Huawei may possibly launch its long-awaited Windows Phone 8 handsets during CES in January. There is also speculation that the company will debut a 5-inch smartphone/tablet hybrid featuring a 1080p screen. “Huawei was one of the hardware partners listed by Microsoft when it revealed its new operating system in June, however despite a few leaks, the premier device from the Chinese manufacturer hasn’t officially appeared yet,” reports Digital Trends. “This could all change at CES, and Huawei could spearhead the second wave of phones running Windows Phone 8 with two new devices.” Continue reading CES 2013: Windows Phone 8 Devices and Hybrid from Huawei

CES 2013: Samsung and LG to Debut Flexible Smartphone Screens?

Will the flexible smartphone screen change the face of mobile phone design in 2013 and mark the biggest change since the introduction of the touchscreen? Rumors suggest manufacturing rivals Samsung and LG are working on it. Speculation regarding flexible display development dates back to 2002, and in the last six years we’ve seen some interesting prototypes and low volume products at CES featuring E-ink and Electronic Paper Display technologies. To address slow response times (especially with video) and challenges with handling color, flexible OLED displays emerged. Continue reading CES 2013: Samsung and LG to Debut Flexible Smartphone Screens?